Volume 23 Chapter 9-2 After the Coach Attack
"Fine. I've got a feel for what we're up against. Let's hurry up and rescue Sir Levy. What about you, Al──do we kill those 2 prisoners or not?"
Al tilted his head. He personally felt sorry for killing them, and if there was time, he could ask questions──but in this situation, keeping them alive might just get in the way.
He had no idea what the right move was here. Honestly, he wanted Reginald to make the call.
"I'll leave that to you."
"So you don't really think we need to kill them, Al. Hmm, what to do, then... By the way, Mr. Eric, do you think you can still fight? You seem pretty out of it... Lady Leda, what's your take?"
"No──I'll fight.""I don't think I can handle it."
It looked like Eric and Leda disagreed. Reginald watched them, thinking over their answers.
"Al, there should be less than 30 of them left. The only real threat is this guy Brook, maybe one more, tops. Could be a mage. If it's just one, do you think you, me, and Mr. Orson could take them head-on?"
Whether they could land the first blow... that was going to decide things. But if it's just one mage, maybe they had a shot.
Also, with Eric still looking unsteady, Al really didn't want him fighting. Normally, he would have admitted he couldn't be sure of himself, but giving an answer now felt tough.
"If it goes bad, we might not be able to save anyone except the Levy merchant guild and Eric's apprentices."
If things turned against them, they'd have to pull back and rain down Magic Sparks from above.
Of course, that meant holding back wasn't possible. Even if someone begged to spare a servant or a worker as a witness, there'd be no chance.
Well, to be precise, Brook knew him, so maybe he could be spared.
"Yeah, I won't ask about that. But... Viscount Morgan, hmm, that one might be a problem."
He just didn't know enough to keep someone out. At the very least, he'd have to see their face first.
"So that's a lost cause... Even if Mr. Eric joins, it won't change a thing."
Al just shrugged, and Reginald answered him with a strained smile and a nod.
"That's the situation. For now, could Mr. Eric and Lady Leda take the two prisoners in the carriage and meet up with Desmond? I want you to tell him what's happening. I can only spare one subordinate to go as the driver, but I doubt the enemy's sending another squad, so you should be safe enough. If we had time for Mr. Eric to rest up, yes, we'd love his help. But with a messenger already heading to the capital, we can't wait around. Oh, and Al, we can leave questioning the prisoners for later, right? There's no way we can trust what they say now anyway."
Reginald had decided Eric wouldn't be any help right now. Made sense. Even if he could use spells, bringing a guy who couldn't even walk straight would only slow them down.
And Marquis Prentis' researcher's worth more alive than dead──a good bargaining chip for later. So it would be Al, Orson, Reginald, and that one subordinate.
He didn't know much about Reginald's skills, but facing the enemy's numbers, 4 people should be enough to sneak in and rescue Guildmaster Levy and the others. The big risk? If the merchants or the guildmaster got taken hostage in the process.
Leda looked back and forth at Eric, Reginald, and Al. Then she squeezed her eyes shut, hard.
"Alright. Let's do that."
"Leda!"
Eric protested, but his voice shook, thin and unsteady. Leda just shook her head.
"The way Mr. Eric is right now, you'd just hold us all back."
Eric must've wanted to go rescue his own students himself. He clenched his fists, silent.
"Leda... Got it. Al, Reginald, don't push yourselves. Please, take care of Fitz, Marcus, Lucas for me."
Al nodded. But he had one thing still on his mind.
"There were a lot of magic reactions inside the carriage. It might not be a spellbook... maybe some kind of trick! Should we check what's inside before we leave?"
Character Notes:
Reginald - He once protected Naresh when they were attacked by the Blood-Soaked Bandits. Mercenary for the Levy merchant guild.
Leda - She was an apprentice to Eric. A magician in training.
Eric - Top magician in Lester. Mentor to many, including Leda.
Orson - An adventurer, he was 172 cm tall with a slight limp, which Al had healed, an act for which he was deeply grateful. A seasoned warrior, he often worked alongside Al and made the (Red-Faced Sheep) tavern his regular lodging.
Brook - A subordinate of Viscount Eugene, in charge of the team collecting Henry's remains. Described as having short silver hair, about 180 cm tall, and muscular. He is leading the operation at the villa and has been in contact with the carriage group, instructing them to return quickly.
Viscount Morgan - A potential hostage, ruler of the trading city of Morgan with Guildmaster Levy.
Desmond - Veteran adventurer hired by Levy. Based in Border City, Lester.
Fitz - Eric's assistant, also a magician.
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